Consulting

AVAILABLE FOR WRITERS:

Russell Rowland is available for private consultation on your writing projects. He will help you figure out how to shape your story into publishable condition, and he'll help you decide where best to submit your work.

Russell has taught fiction at Boston University, and at St. Mary's College, where he was a Writer-in-Residence in 2003. He is currently teaching online fiction workshops with Gotham Writers' Workshops. He has extensive contacts in the publishing industry, and has referred several of his students to agents. Several students have taken his class more than once, and many have gone on to graduate programs thanks in part to his help.

What Russell's clients say:

"When I took Russell's class, I had six chapters I'd been working on for four years and a vague outline for the remainder of my historical thriller. Less than a year later, I'd finished my book, secured an agent and sold the novel, my first, to Touchstone Publishing. Without Russell this wouldn't have happened. He is an amazing teacher: smart, insightful, and encouraging while always telling me how to make the work better. And he makes me laugh."

Nancy Bilyeau, author of The Crown and The Chalice

"Russell Rowland belies the commonly held belief that writers write and teachers teach. Not only is Russell a great teacher, insightful editor and constructive, unflinching critic, but he brings to all of his consulting work the high standards and expectations of a writer's writer and a passionate reader. From first to final draft, I knew my work was in good hands, and that as soon as it was ready to be passed on to one of Russell's many contacts in publishing, it would be."

J.S. Breukelaar, author of American Monster, Lazy Fascist Press.

"Without a doubt, Russell Rowland helped me turn my dreams of writing into the reality of publication. I was fortunate to stumble upon Russell in a wonderful online fiction course at Gotham, and I subsequently signed up for several workshops with him. Russell's comments on my manuscript were universally compelling and astute, and he held my literary hand chapter by chapter until the very end. My first novel, Life After Yes, was published in May 2010 and I could not be happier. I am very much indebted to this brilliant man and teacher for getting me here."

Aidan Donnelly Rowley, author, Life After Yes (Avon 2010)

"Russell has given me feedback on various drafts of my novel. He had a fantastic sense of the type of feedback I needed at each stage, whether it was encouragement to keep writing or detailed, honest criticism to polish a nearly-done draft. What's more, he understood my novel, and his feedback helped me make it far better than I ever could on my own. Through his close readings, Russell noticed problems no one else had - flat characters, motivation problems, holes in the story and places to cut. I was able to revise, sharpen and take the novel to the next level."

Holly Warah, author of Married to the Monsours, first prize winner of the 2010 Pacific Northwest Writers Association Literary Contest

"Without Russell Rowland I'd have settled for scribbling in a journal, never taking the leap of honing my skills, developing the discipline to write, no matter what, and having the courage to put my work out for an audience to enjoy. His commitment to my project has been wholehearted and often supplied the spark of inspiration. His endless encouragement, insightful critiques and editing have nursed me through a novel that is now near completion."

Lesley Weston, Head of the Costume Department, Metropolitan Opera

"Russell Rowland is a sure guide through the challenges of revision and editing. His advice is prompt, sensitive, and encouraging. I couldn't think of a better mentor as I prepare my novel to head out into the stormy world of publishing."

Henry Millstein, Ph.D. candidate in Jewish studies

"Russell is an inspiring, astute and insightful teacher. He is a deft editor; his comments are always right on the mark. His fiction workshop helped me improve my craft and confidence and gave me the boost I needed to get my work published. I can't recommend him highly enough."

Laurie Seidler, editor, Verbsap.com literary magazine

For details on consulting and other opportunities, contact Russell.